Xinjiang—Yili Travel Diary, Let's Go!

📅 Yili Adventure Log｜June in the Yili River Valley, Every Frame is a Windows Desktop!

📍Location: Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang

🌞 9:00 Depart from Yining, heading straight to Sayram Lake

- Transportation: Rented SUV in Yining (500 CNY/day), 2-hour drive via Lianhuo Expressway.
- Ticket: 145 CNY/person (includes 75 CNY shuttle bus), recommend taking the scenic area bus (flexible stops).
- Gear: Windbreaker (big temperature difference by the lake), sunglasses (strong UV), breadcrumbs (feed the swans!).

📸 11:30 Sayram Lake (The Last Tear of the Atlantic)

- Must-visit photo spots:

1. S-curve Road: Wide-angle shot of "blue ice" + snow-capped mountains, wear a white dress for Iceland vibes!
2. Point General Platform: Overhead shot of swans playing in water, use telephoto lens for background compression.
3. Pine Tree Head: 20-minute hike to the summit for a panoramic view of the "Emerald Lake."

- Hidden Gem: Free water play at "Qinshui Beach" by the south gate, 10℃ water for a refreshing dip!

🍖 14:00 Picnic at Guozigou Bridge (bring your own snacks)

- Parking: 20 CNY/car at the viewpoint, overlooking the "First Bridge of Yili."
- Lunch: Baked buns (5 CNY each) + yogurt rice dumplings (8 CNY), super authentic from roadside stalls!

🌼 16:00 Huocheng Lavender Fields (June-exclusive romance)

- Recommended farms:

1. Princess Xiaoyou Lavender Garden (50 CNY): Fields + windmills, drone shots of "purple ocean."
2. Lucao Town Hidden Fields (free): Navigate to "Sigong Village" for crowd-free Japanese-style photos.

- Pro Tip: Avoid wearing purple! White/blue outfits stand out better.

🏔️ 19:00 Kalajun Grassland (Heavenly "Human Body" Grassland!)

- Ticket: 170 CNY/person (includes shuttle bus), stay in yurts inside the scenic area (200 CNY/night).
- Activities:

1. Eagle Hunting Platform: Horseback riding (300 CNY/hour, bargain to 200 CNY), overlook "wavy grasslands."
2. Flower Platform: Golden lotus flowers blanket the meadows in June, wear floral dresses for forest-themed photos.

- Fun Fact: The "marmots" on the grassland are protected—don't feed them!

🍜 21:00 Qiongkushitai (Hiker's Paradise)

- Accommodation: Backhill homestay (300 CNY/night), wake up to snow-capped mountains + forests, stargaze at night!
- Dinner: Hand-pulled rice (35 CNY) + lamb skewers (10 CNY each), pair with kvass drink.

💡 Summary (Lessons Learned the Hard Way)

1. Best Time: Mid-to-late June for lavender + golden lotus blooms, July has fewer wildflowers but greener grasslands.
2. Must-Pack:
- ID (frequent security checks), SPF50+ sunscreen, hydrating masks (skin peels from dryness).
- Tripod (for star photos), power bank (lifesaver in low-signal areas).
3. Hidden Gems:
- Light hike in Xiate Ancient Trail (5 hours), discover "General Bridge" glacier.
- Buy handmade ice cream (15 CNY/scoop) in Yining's Six-Star Street, photograph rainbow alleys.
4. Avoid Pitfalls:
- Sign agreements before horseback riding! Clarify duration and route to prevent mid-trip price hikes.
- Skip jade purchases in scenic areas! "Hanren Street" in Yining has fewer fakes—bargain by halving then 20% off.

📸 Today's Top Shots:

- Sayram Lake S-curve Road (unedited! Blue ice + mountains look photoshopped).
- Kalajun Flower Platform's golden lotus sea, dreamy background blur with phone portrait mode.

💰 Today's Expenses:
Car rental 500 + tickets 365 + food 100 + lodging 200 = 1165 CNY (budget varies!)

✨ Musings:
Yili is truly "eyes in heaven, body in hell!" 30,000 steps daily, but every view is worth it. Next time, bring a drone for Xiate Ancient Trail shots, and... Xinjiang's yogurt cubes are definitely an acquired taste!

#XinjiangTravel #Yili #SayramLake #KalajunGrassland